Going Out On A Lidge
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Going Out On A Lidge
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
There is no denying that sticking with Brad Lidge as the closer is not the popular thing for Charlie Manuel to do, and neither is it an absolutely sure path to where the team wants to get.
I made the case in a column today that it is still the right way to go, at least until a better option is identified and until Lidge has every single chance to right himself.
Not everyone agrees, obviously, and that point of view may prove correct in the end. But the part of the argument that is dead wrong is that Manuel is sticking with Lidge out of some sort of sentimentality regarding what happened in 2008.
The notion that Manuel, who has been in this game his whole life, is a dewy-eyed softie is dead wrong. He's not sticking with Lidge out of a misplaced, or overactive, loyalty, but because he also thinks Lidge is the best logical option. When that changes, Charlie will make the change, too. But he's not going to give away a chance at a repeat title because he doesn't want to hurt Brad Lidge's feelings. That is ludicrous.
Having noted all that, however, this article, from the fertile minds at phillygameday.com is really funny.
Well, Bob, after tonight's meltdown, what is your opinion now? ... And please, don't insult our intelligence and tell us it's because of a knee or a blister or an ingrown toenail ... Charlie can't have it both ways ... On one hand, he says, ""[Bleep] the last couple years. What the hell? That don't mean [bleep]. We're playing today. Right now. Hey, last year is dead and gone. We're always playing for today." ... Well, the same should apply for Brad.— PhightinPhil- Well, Bob, after tonight's meltdown, what is your opinion now? ... And please, don't insult our intelligence and tell us it's because of a knee or a blister or an ingrown toenail ... Charlie can't have it both ways ... On one hand, he says, ""[Bleep] the last couple years. What the hell? That don't mean [bleep]. We're playing today. Right now. Hey, last year is dead and gone. We're always playing for today." ... Well, the same should apply for Brad.— PhightinPhil
- Sorry, did not mean to repeat myself.— PhightinPhil
- Yo, Ford, which of us has claimed that Charlie has stuck with Lidge out of misplaced loyalty? Hardly any of us. Instead, we poured folly on the nonsense you write and continue to write. The best option for Philly? Maybe the best option for the Phils is to groom Myers and use the rest of September to see if he can handle the role of closer. Certainly, Brett has every incentive to do so. If the Phillies choose not to offer him a contract renewal/extension or whatever, then Myers needs to prove to the Phillies and other teams that he has what it takes. Whether Myers can crack a now set Phillies 5 man rotation next year is open to question. There would be no doubt, if he succeeds in September and October, that he would have the edge to be closer in 2010. Setting up straw men, Fordie, that you can easily knock down is too easy. Dealing with a lot of the insights we critics have had to offer is a lot harder. So far, none of what you have written dissuades any of us - except perhaps those who championed Chan Ho.— VANDERGRAAFK
- Manuel hasn't been sticking with Lidge out of some sort of sentimentality? Then how do you explain this quote: "When I say he's my closer, I don't tell lies and I don't like to go back on nothing,'' Manuel said later, after Ryan Madson recorded the final two outs to snap a four-game losing streak, as the Phillies improved to 78-58 and maintained a six-game lead over Florida in the NL East. "But the team and the game is bigger than my heart, and it's bigger than anything else, if you want to know the truth. Winning the game is what it's all about - that's baseball and that's why I manage and that's what comes first . . . That was tough for me to do." That sounds EXACTLY like he's been sticking with Lidge for emotional reasons, and now he's got no choice but to give up on that hope or risk the season. How else would you explain it?— ChrisInVT
- CLUELESS BOB...Cholly is doing it because he sticks by his players. How can any rational human say he is the best option? He WAS the best option, but not now. Thats why they got him for Michael Bourn and a bag of chips.— gluteman
- That's the man of the ledge, Eric Bruntlett and maybe a bag of chips for Michael Bourn. As much as I like Michael as a lead off hitter, I wonder where he would fit in this team. Do you platoon Victorino and Bourn and have a part-time lead-off hitter? It's a trade that was made and worked out well in the short run. Without Bruntlett and Lidge, the Phils don't win the 2008 world series. I'm still upset at Placido Polanco for psycho dude. I would love to Polanco at third, but as long as the Phillies had Polanco was Chase ever going to be given a chance. Trades are never always easy, and it's pointless to dwell on what might have been. Heck, I'm still bummed at the loss of Ferguson Jenkins and that was 40 years ago. The acquisition of Lefty only dissipated but a few of a whole series of bad trades in Phillies' history. Bob Buehl, anyone?— VANDERGRAAFK
